New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball today announced that applications will open this fall for two competitive State grant programs: the Beginning Farmer Grant Program and the Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Farmer Grant Program. The programs, which offer support to New York farmers who are new to the field or who face disproportionate social and economic barriers to success, will provide funding for a wide range of start-up and operational costs and offer support for marketing, training, and more.
Category: Business
Resources for the business side of managing a fruit and vegetable farm in Eastern NY. Topics include labor, marketing, farm business management, regulations, funding sources and risk management.
Upcoming Events to Claim COVID-19 Relief Payments for Farmworkers
Upcoming Events to Claim COVID-19 Relief Payments for Farmworkers Beginning March 1, 2023, frontline farm workers who incurred expenses preparing for, preventing exposure to, and responding to the COVID-19 pandemic can apply for a one-time $600 relief payment through this website, which is administered by Pasa Sustainable Agriculture. This program is likely to end this Read More…
The Bottom Line #12
September 25, 2024. FSA loan rates begin to drop, grapevine insurance, research of impact of solar on farmland values, COVID relief funds still available for farmworkers, Upcoming programs.
The Bottom Line #11
September 4, 2024. Clinton and Essex Counties included in federal disaster declaration, Governor Hochul describes success of Executive Order 32 and signs three pieces of legislation related to agriculture. New FSA rules effective on Sept 25th to make accessing and affording a farm loan easier. Also, USDA FSA’s new online debt consolidation tool and improvements in loan servicing. Learn about AFT’s new Farmland Owner Hub. A new grant program, Business Builder Grants, funded by USDA and offered through the Northeast Regional Food Business Center will be available in 2025! Upcoming programs.
GAP Certification Assistance Program
The GAP certification assistance program is a cost-share/reimbursement program designed to assist the specialty crop industry with the cost of an operation’s GAP food safety audit.
Strategies for a Successful NYS Grown and Certified Grant Application
While in Western NY in late June I met with Aileen Randolph of NY Farm Viability, and she provided some tips for growers who are interested in the upcoming NYS Grown and Certified Grant Program.
Governor Hochul Announces New Refundable Farm Employer Overtime Tax Credit Application Period Now Open
Farm employers who have registered in the new online portal at taxcredit.agriculture.ny.gov may enter eligible employee overtime information and submit their application to the Department of Ag and Markets for a certificate of advance payment of eligible overtime.
SARE Farmer Grant
SARE Farmer Grant Call for Proposals Open Proposals due Nov 12 at 5 p.m. EST. Projects will start after March 1, 2025.
2024 New York Land Value Trends
A new joint publication from the American Society of Farm Managers, Rural Appraisers Northeast Chapter, Cornell Cooperative Extension and the Dyson School discusses trends in agland values for New York State.
Reminder – new H2A rules take effect on August 28, 2024
The new worker protections that must be incorporated into job orders filed in connection with H-2A Applications (criteria clearance orders) will apply to workers employed under any criteria clearance orders and associated H-2A applications submitted on or after 12:00AM Eastern Daylight Time on August 29, 2024. Here is a webinar from the USDOL that outlines the changes you will see in the forms ETA 790 and 790A and 9142A.
Coming in 2025 – Equipment Only Grants (NYS Ag and Markets)
According to the NYS Ag and Markets website, NYS Ag and Markets Farm and Food Growth Fund applications for Equipment Only Grants will be launched in 2025.
The Bottom Line #10
Equipment Only Grants coming in 2025, New H2A rules take effect on August 28, New York Land Value Trends, Report your storm damage! SARE Farmer Grants and Upcoming Programs